Shanghai in 1853

By Bayard Taylor. A Visit to India, China, and Japan in the Year 1853. New York, 1855.

April 5th, 1853.

At length we have positive news that Nanking has fallen. The Taou-tai of Shanghai admits it, which is a certain sign of its correctness. The information was received yesterday by M. de Montigny, the French Consul, through the Catholic Missionaries at Nanking, but the fact was doubted by most of the merchants here until the Taou-tai confirmed it. In the final assault, 20,000 Tartars were slain. The streets were blocked up with corpses, and 1,000 cash each was paid by the victors for their removal. Twenty thousand rebel troops were left to garrison the city, and a body of 40,000 was dispatched to intercept the imperial troops on their way from Pekin, to raise the siege. The rebels, it is said, will establish their capital at Nanking, and for the remainder of the year will content themselves with consolidating their power in the South and West.

One circumstance, which has operated in their favor, is the almost total destruction of the grain trade between the South and North, by means of the Grand Canal. This has been caused within a few years by inundation between the Yang-tse-Kiang and the Hoang-ho, which have damaged the Canal to such an extent as to render it impassable for the larger class of vessels. The immense transportations of grain, for the supply of the northern portion of China, which were formerly made entirely through this channel, are now transferred to the coasting-junks, which sail at this season from Shanghai, Chapoo and Ningpo.

The city of Soo-Chow, it is said, has paid a ransom of 700,000 taels, to be exempted from capture and pillage. There seems to be no doubt of this, as business is beginning to revive there, and several Soo-Chow families, who had fled to this place, returned last night to their homes. It is not yet known whether a descent on Shanghai is meditated, but word reached us yesterday that Tïen-teh does not intend to interfere in any way with foreigners in China.

April 6th.

Yesterday Mr. Forbes conversed with a native, who returned in one of the Taou-tai’s lorchas from Nanking. The man is known to the Americans here, who place full reliance on his communication. He states that, after the taking of Nanking, the city was given up to sack and slaughter, during three days and 20,000 Tartars — men, women and children — were massacred. The Viceroy was quartered and his remains nailed to the four gates of the city. Previous to his death his veins were opened and his blood made to flow into a large vessel of water which the conquerors drank. His daughter, a girl of nineteen, was stripped in the public square, bound upon a cross, and her heart cut out. Many of the Tartar officers were thrown into boiling oil, or tied to stakes surrounded with bundles of oiled straw, and slowly roasted to death. The recital of these atrocities has aroused the utmost horror and indignation among the foreign residents. They were previously, almost to a man, disposed to rejoice at the success of the rebels.

That the Viceroy has been slain, is beyond a doubt. Col. Marshall has received the news officially, through the Governor of Soo-chow, upon whom the functions of Viceroy now devolve, and who is supposed to possess the seals; though another account says they were lost at Nanking. The ransom paid by the merchants of Soo-Chow only exempts the city from pillage. The rebels announce their determination to attack it, and the gates have been closed for several days.

The rumors afloat to-day are still more alarming. The rebels are stated to be marching to Hang-Chow, a large city about midway between here and Ningpo, at the head of the intervening gulf. Their proclamations have been received by the Governor of Soong-Keang, a city only forty miles from this place, and it is also supposed that they have been privately sent here, to the native merchants. Tïen-teh was to have been formally inaugurated as Emperor yesterday, at Nanking. Among the tribute sent from Soo-Chow were 1,000 pieces of yellow silk to be used on the occasion.

The Taou-tai this morning sent word that twenty of the lorchas which he had dispatched to the relief of Nanking had fallen into the hands of the rebels; who, he feared, having the papers in their possession, would attempt to pass the Custom House at Woosung under false colors, and gain possession of that port. A lorcha, which he had sent up a week ago with $100,000, came back with an acknowledgment of its reception, signed by one of the rebel chiefs. It is reported that the captain, or supercargo, quietly delivered the money and took the receipt, thinking it was all right. The merchants here hinted to the Taou-tai that the sooner all his grain-junks were cleared for Pekin, the better, and he acted upon this suggestion. The river to-day was crowded with sails, and at least sixty or seventy junks dropped down to Woosung. There are still upwards of a thousand in port, and the foreigners are anxious that they should all be removed. In case of an attack they would undoubtedly be fired by the rebels, and set adrift to float down upon the foreign shipping.

Mr. Meadows, the interpreter of the British embassy, has been informed by a Chinese banker that the rebels have addressed the native inhabitants of Shanghai, bidding them be assured, as it is not them, but the foreign population, whom they intend to attack. After the rumors of Tïen-teh’s Christianity and his pacific intentions towards foreigners, this news is rather startling, but there may be some reason for crediting it. The fact that the foreigners here have received no communication from the rebels is in itself suspicious — the custom of the latter having invariably been to send the proclamations in advance of their coming. Those who write upon their doors the word “Obedience” are saved from pillage.

April 7th.

This has been a day of excitement. About noon we received intelligence that an attack would certainly be made on Shanghai. There were rumors of a proclamation which stated that the Chinese inhabitants had nothing to fear, but that the Taou-tai must be given up, as they intended to punish him for sending supplies to Nanking. The foreign residents would not be interfered with, provided they gave security not to carry on the opium trade. There are now vessels lying at Woosung, laden with opium to the amount of $3,000,000. This rumor, if true, would stir up the English to more active measures, Sir George Bonham’s avowed policy at present being a masterly inactivity.

The Taou-tai is alarmed. He called to-day upon the English and American Consuls. He denies that Soo-Chow is fallen, says his wives and treasures are still in the city, but that, on the approach of danger, he will remove them to the Custom House, in the midst of the foreign settlement. About three o’clock several English officers imagined they heard the report of cannon at Woosung. I mounted to the roof of the Consulate, whence the shipping at that port is discernible, but could perceive no signs of firing. However, the English deemed it expedient to land 140 men with three or four fieldpieces, and had companies of armed sailors patrolling the streets in the evening.

A document has at last been procured, which was taken from one of the gates of Soo-Chow. It is issued in the name of two of the rebel generals, declaring their intention to take Chin-Keang-foo, Soo-Chow, Hang-Chow, Soong-Keang and Shanghai. The Mantchows, it says, are utterly annihilated, and as for the foreigners, they are not human beings. The inhabitants of the three first-named cities have nothing to fear but all good Chinese residing in the two last should immediately remove to the distance of 100 li (33 miles), until the army has passed through, as it is by no means certain that there will not be fighting at Shanghai. This document explains the great panic of the Chinese to-day, and their hasty emigration from the city, which has been going on without interruption, from sunrise to the present hour (11 P.M.). The streets are crowded with porters, carrying off chests and boxes of valuables.

Mr. Taylor, an American Missionary, showed me some translations from the Pekin Gazette, from which it is evident that the Imperial Court is in great consternation. The Emperor declares his anxiety is so great that he can neither eat nor sleep. The capture of Woo-Chang-foo and Ngan-King is announced, but no mention is made of the siege of Nanking. The Taou-tai of this place is to be promoted for his loyalty. Several Generals, who were slain by the rebels, are promoted to the rank of Governor, and others who ran away, but died afterwards, are, on that account, absolved from the punishment due to their cowardice! So imbecile and absurd a Court as that of China never before governed a great Empire. Its duration or overthrow is a matter of complete indifference.

Col. Marshall drew up a proclamation this evening, to be issued by the representatives of France and America, since Sir George Bonham refuses to co-operate. It is a brief but forcible paper, declaring that, security of life and property having been assured to the citizens of both countries on the faith of treaties with the Emperor of China, no invading army could be permitted to occupy the foreign settlement here, or exact a tribute from the inhabitants. Furthermore, that the pillage of Shanghai would endanger the foreign residents, and would be resisted. With regard to the contest now waging, a strict and impartial neutrality would be preserved. It is proposed to forward this proclamation to the rebels to-morrow.

April 9th.

Yesterday a dispatch was received, to the effect that Nanking had been invested by the Imperial troops, and that the rebel forces had gone back from Soo-Chow for its relief. It was addressed to the Taou-tai by Heang-Yung, a Tartar General who appears to have acted bravely at the taking of Woo-Chang-foo. According to the proclamation of the Taou-tai, this general arrived before Nankin on the 31st of March, in advance of the main body of the Imperial troops. He calls upon the inhabitants of the province not to be alarmed, as the rebels will be exterminated to a man. Now the proclamation of Lo and W’ang, the two rebel generals, states that Tïen-teh was crowned Emperor at Nanking on the 31st of March, and it is unlikely that both events occurred at the same time. Notwithstanding the proclamation of the Taou-tai the emigration from the city, yesterday, was more active than ever. The bund (quay) and streets were crowded with porters, conveying the goods and treasures of the wealthy class, who are flying for refuge to the villages in the country.

No proclamation has yet been issued by the foreign representatives. Sir George Bonhain yesterday sent around the draft of one, which differed in no material point from that of Col. Marshall, except that it was more diffuse, and carefully avoided speaking of the rebel forces. In order to secure the consent of all to a single declaration, Col. Marshall amalgamated the two but Sir George still refuses to co-operate. M. de Montigny has subscribed to the American proclamation, which will probably be issued this morning. The English still keep a body of armed sailors on shore, and on board all the vessels of war the usual drill with small arms is carried on every day.

Yesterday afternoon the English and American residents met at their respective Consulates to adopt measures of defence. Twenty-seven Americans came together and discussed the matter, in true American style: each one wanted to have his own way, and only ten subscribed to Mr. Cunningham’s proposals that a company should be formed, armed and exercised. Several of the Missionaries were quite ready to enter into this arrangement, and one of them, who is a graduate of West Point, offered to undertake the task of drilling them. The English acted with more unanimity, and the most of them subscribed their names to a similar proposal.

The Chinese merchants of Shanghai have made up the sum of $340,000 for the ransom of the city. Yesterday a deputation from them was sent off to Tïen-teh, to remain with him as hostages for the payment, until the city shall be taken. It is said that the Taou-tai himself subscribed largely to the sum. Several of the “long-haired rebels” are reported to be in the city, and there is no doubt that their spies are already here. Fifteen hundred desperadoes from the province of Foo-Kïen are waiting the moment of attack, to commence pillaging; but the Chinese who now remain have the impression that the Americans and French will defend the city.

April 10th.

We have now come to the conclusion that for the present we have no reason to fear an attack on Shanghai. The army which was marching upon Soo-Chow has not yet made its appearance before that city, having probably gone back to raise the siege of Nanking. Since the Taou-tai’s proclamation no further news has been received, but the foreign residents are satisfied that they are safe for at least ten days longer. The Chinese continue to flock out of the city, though not to such an extent as during the previous two days. Now, since the alarm has subsided, the English have begun to adopt active measures of defence. Yesterday afternoon they had forty or fifty sailors at work, throwing up a three-gun redoubt, at the northern end of the race-course. The sailors and marines were drilled in artillery practice at the same time, on the green in the centre of the course.

To-day the news of the advance of the Imperial army upon Nanking is confirmed. Mr. Meadows left here last night at midnight, for the rebel camp, disguised as a Chinaman. He took along a European dress, to wear after arriving, and is understood to possess an order from the Taou-tai to the local authorities on the road, to facilitate his progress.

April 13th.

We are still in the same delightful state of uncertainty, in regard to the future. The rebels and the Imperial forces commanded severally by Tïen-teh and Leang-Yuen, have met, and, according to Chinese custom, appointed day before yesterday for the battle: so that we may expect to hear something in two days more — but it is too much to hope that we will get the truth, or any thing near it. On Monday evening, a letter was received from Mr. Meadows, who has reached Soo-Chow. He found the city perfectly tranquil. The deputation of merchants commissioned to take the ransom to Tïen-tek, had returned after proceeding as far as Chin-Kiang-foo, where they found a body of the Imperial troops. They were obliged to hasten back, to prevent the ransom from falling into the wrong hands. This corroborates the report of the rebels having retreated from Chin-Kiang-foo and fallen back upon Nanking, in order to concentrate their strength for an encounter with Heang-Yuen’s army.

Meanwhile the work of defence goes on. The English have taken it upon themselves to construct a double ditch from Soo-Chow creek across to the north-western angle of the city wall, covering the rear of the foreign settlement. An attack, if made at all, will most probably be made from the native city, across a creek which is commanded by the big guns of the Susquehanna. At a meeting held at the English Consulate yesterday, the resident merchants decided to bear the expenses of the work. Several hundred coolies have been employed upon the ditch, which is a slight affair, that would not resist a charge of European cavalry, but may prove sufficient against Chinese. The breastwork runs directly across the race-course, and to-day has reached the graveyard of the men of Foo-Kïen, a body of whom came to stop proceedings. The Chinese have a great regard for the graves of their ancestors, which, indeed, are the only objects for which they exhibit the least reverence. These Foo-Kïen people are a fierce, disorderly set, and the natives of Shanghai are in great dread of them. The assistant Engineer of the English steamer Salamander mysteriously disappeared two days ago, and has not returned. When last seen on Monday night, he was quarrelling with some Foo-Kïen boatmen, and it is now surmised that they murdered him. Several dead bodies have floated down the river within a few days.

We hear already of bands of marauders in the vicinity. The magistrates of the different districts have formed a league for their protection, and have resolved to burn alive any man who is caught plundering. Two cases have occurred within a few days. On Monday a band of forty robbers entered a village about two miles from here and demanded a quantity of rice from the inhabitants — which was paid. Two of the men, however, lingered behind, and demanded of one of the villagers that they should be paid 20,000 cash (about $14). The man said he had but 8,000 cash in the house, which he would give them. While pretending to get it he found means to whisper to a coolie, who went out and summoned the people. The house was surrounded, the robbers taken and condemned to be burned. One of them was placed beneath the pile, and securely bound. The other was laid upon the top, and several times burst the cords which held him and sprang from the fames. He was relentlessly dragged back, until all power of resistance was lost. In a village about ten miles from here, four Canton men were found plundering a pawnbroker’s shop, and suffered the same horrible fate. In every village is suspended a gong, which is to be sounded in case of an attack.

It is from these bands of desperadoes that the older residents anticipate trouble. The Mission Establishment beyond Soo-Chow creek has been furnished with arms by Capt. Buchanan, and its inmates keep up a watch at night. Mr. Yates, of the Baptist Mission, who had placed his family on board one of the merchant vessels, has returned to his house. In passing through the city yesterday, I noticed many streets which were almost entirely deserted. Mr. Shortrede, the Editor of the Friend of China, who came down from the hills two days ago, met two hundred boats on their way to Soo-Chow, laden with people and property.

April 15th.

The difficulty with the Foo-Kïen men has not yet been settled. On the Chinese coolies being prevented by a band of them from digging up the graves, the English brought a fieldpiece, loaded it, and threatened to fire in case they did not retire. For a time they dispersed, but soon returned in much greater numbers. It is now said that they have decided to allow the breastwork to be thrown up, in case pledges are given by the English, that when the danger is over the earth shall be restored to its former place. This demand will be complied with and the work will proceed, but as the embankments are made upon the line of a proposed road which the merchants have been endeavoring to open, it may be doubted whether the latter will keep faith with the men of Foo-Kïen. On my visit to some American Missionaries in the city yesterday, I was struck with its air of desolation. There are streets where hardly a house is inhabited. Where we found crowds on our first arrival, there is now scarcely a single soul to be seen. I have no doubt that 50,000 persons have emigrated from the city within the past two or three weeks.

News reached us yesterday, that a battle had been fought before the walls of Nanking, in which the advantage rested with the Imperial troops. Great numbers were slain on both sides, and the revolutionary army had retired within the walls. A letter was also received from Mr. Meadows, who is still at Soo-Chow, where he intends remaining. He repeats the stories which had already reached us, with the additional fact that Tïen-teh is actually dead, as was surmised by some, and that the name of the present chief is Tae-ping. Mr. Meadows appears in European costume, and has received no molestation. He has put himself in connection with the mandarins, and expects to be protected. The celebrated pagodas on Golden Island in the Yang-tse-Kiang, opposite Chin-Kiang-foo, are said to have been entirely destroyed by the rebels, and all the Buddhist priests beheaded. If this be true, the library of Chinese Literature on the island — one of the most valuable in the Empire — has probably perished also.

April 17th.

Flying rumors from Nanking, favorable to the rebels, now begin to reach us. It is quite evident, from the tenor of the various reports, that the Imperialists have at least gained no success. An intelligent Chinaman, who was on board one of the Taou-tai’s lorchas, in the neighborhood of Nanking, states that the accounts we had received of the valor of Heang-Yuen, the Tartar general, are without foundation. The people have unbounded confidence in the rebels, whom he represents as just and humane in their dealings with them. Heang-Yuen, he says, keeps aloof and avoids giving battle. A native messenger dispatched by the Rev. Mr. Taylor, about two weeks ago, returned yesterday, having succeeded in reaching Nanking. His account is greatly exaggerated; he says there are 500,000 Tartar troops around Nanking, and an equal number of rebels within the walls. The latter never intended to have advanced upon Shanghai, and the report of their march towards Soo-Chow after the taking of Nanking was occasioned by the flight of the Imperial troops in that direction.

The American bark Science, despatched by the Taou-tai to the relief of the Imperial fleet, arrived at Woosung on Thursday night, and Capt. Roundy was here at breakfast yesterday morning. He only ascended the Yang-tse-Kiang seventy-five miles, and attributes his difficulties entirely to the Chinese pilots. There is water enough for the largest vessels in the channel, which, however, is narrow and tortuous. A letter was received last night from Capt. Bush, of the schooner Dewan, which had reached Chin-Kiang-foo. He states that he had landed and walked through the city, which was entirely deserted — not a soul to be seen. The inhabitants had all gone to Nanking, but under what circumstances, he does not inform us. A letter was also received from Mr. Meadows, who had been deserted by all his servants, and was unable to procure a boat to proceed further.

The foreign residents now no longer apprehend an attack, but the native merchants are still in a state of alarm.

From the Internet Archive.